Sanitary napkin



Patented Apr. 7, 1953 to International Cellucotton Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application July 20, 1949,

' Serial No. 105,901

' The present invention relates generally to catamenial bandages or sanitary napkins and relates, in particular, to an improved sanitary napkin of fibrous cellulosic material which has deodorant 9Claims. (o1.-1c7- s4) 2 in the concentrations required for efiectiveness, the material must be non-toxic and non-irritating: Further, the added material should not adversely affect the softness or absorbency of the cellulosic and antiseptic properties that have a prolonged 5 pad, nor should it be readily washed away from effect. the zone in which it is needed during use.

Sometimes odors develop incident to the use of I have discovered that certain complex organcatamenial bandages or sanitary napkins for ie compounds selected from the generalclass' absorbing liquid body secretions. No means have known as quaternary ammonium compounds are been provided for satisfactorily mitigating and useful in accomplishing deodorization in a saniinhibiting odors under all conditions so far as tary napkin in accordance with some or all of known. Commonly, sanitary napkins comprise a the above requirements. Among the compounds pad of fibrous, liquid permeable, cellulosic fibers used with varying degrees of success are the fol; for absorbing the liquid material, this pad being lowing: wrapped in a confronting layer of gauze or other permeable material. This construction results in 'gzgg f g figigfii ti ag ethyl d1methyl: an open, fibrous element which is capable of ab- 2 y .i-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl sorbmg large amounts of liquid, however, the nabenz 1 ammonium chloride ture of the structure makes it extremely difficult 3 Am 1 th 1 b 1 hl id 3 to effectively prevent'the development of odors y y enzy ammpmum 0.01

4. Alkyl diethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. x i gg ggrf r the hquld absorbmg properties 5. Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide. One of the most effective of the known methods 3333 22 22 g ggifiiidg y ethyl trimethyl of deodorizing sanitary napkins includes the in- V corporation of zinc peroxide into the napkin. i x i g ethyl dlmethyl However, the method of incorporating the zinc 8 y almmomum c 01.11

i etyl trimethyl ammonium brom1de. peroxide into the cellulosic pad entails a great deal of difiiculty since the zinc peroxide is an in- Octadecyl dlmethyl ethyl ammomum bromlde 10. Cetyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide.

soluble material which is usually added to the 11 Octadecen 1 9 dimeth 1 8th 1 ammonium napkin1 or to some element thereof in the form bromide y y y of a re atively thick, aqueous dispersion or slurry. The slurry usually includes adhesives, dispersing N gf g ,formyl methyl) agents, etc., to hold the zinc peroxide in place, 13 i ellidiniu {chloride and as a result, the surfaces of the fibers of the Cat g mchlorid r U absorbent cellulosic material are coated with a u N 1 f th 1) layer of the insoluble material, thereby decreasammo ormy m .1 ing the absorptive capacity of the pad. Furace l g ther, the zinc peroxide slurry, after being dried My investigations of the above, the other rein the pad, may form rough portions which abrade lated compounds have shown that all compounds sensitive body surfaces. As a result, it is usually of the types set forth above will mitigate odors necessary to incorporate the zinc peroxide into 40 and inhibit their formation. Some of the comthe napkin at a point spaced inwardly of the pounds of these types are required in such large surface which initially receives the liquid excreconcentrations to mitigate all odor, that they tion. Since the insoluble zinc peroxide is only in tend to be injurious, irritating, or otherwise uncontact with the excretion in a limited area, the suitable. However, certain selected classes of the odors are not adequately mitigated in the zones quaternary ammonium compounds, when incorbetween the zinc peroxide and the outer surfaces porated into the cellulosic pad of a sanitary of the pad. napkin, adjacent the surface thereof, will produce Accordingly, the principal object of this invenhighly eifective and unexpected results. These tion is the provision of an improved catamenial selected classes of quaternary ammonium combandage or sanitary napkin which has the physi- '50 pounds seem to become attached to or associated cal properties of the untreated cellulosic material with the cellulosic fibers in the napkin in such and yet which will provide the desired deodorant a way that when the liquid body excretion conaction over a prolonged period of time. tacts the associated cellulosic fiber and quater- The deodorant material employed desirably nary ammonium compound, there is some reaction shouldbe colorlessand odorless, and in addition, with the odor producing matter in the liquid body excretion which mitigates odors and which effectively prevents the subsequent development of odors. This reaction with the odor producing matter is not wholly understood but it seems to be due, in part, to the association of the quaternary ammonium compound and the cellulosic fiber. However, inany: event, it results-in a highly effective deodorization. Furthermore, these selected quaternary ammonium compounds are hydrophilic in nature, and while the largest poretion of the compound remains in the zone inwhieh they were initially applied, the compounds are slowly solvated and carriedxalong with the; fluid. thus providing a deodorizingaction with .theiexm date regardless of its final deposition.

When the menstrual excretionto bedeodorizled.

contacts the cellulosic material on whichi'sdise posed the quaternary ammonium compound, the color of the exudate changes from a dull redcto. a bright red. Moreover, there is a slight thickeningsorzgelformation within the-fluid; After these changes-have taken; place. the. exudate. isdeodorizedand: the subsequent development of odors is; prevented; Theselect'ed; compounds may be. used-in sub.- stantial'quantities without danger oi irritating sensitive: tissues and, in addition, have the: furtheir effect of softening: and. increasing theabsorbe'ncy of. the cellulosicfibers which: are in contact with: thew'compounds; The outstandinglyefiectivequaternary ammonium compounds are characterized. by the-presence of a molecular groupxwhich includes: from it to la -carbon atoms and is attached to the nitrogen atom and by the close association of the nitrogen atom with an aryl group selected from. the class consisting of a benzyl. radical and; a pyridinium radical. The following structural formulas illustrate the two groups of compounds which. have; been found to be efiiective for the described purpose.

In the formulas, R1 represents an alkyl or heterogeneous aliphatic group, having from 8V to 13. carbon atoms; R2 represents, ashort chain alkyl radical (a. methylor anethylgroup); andAnrepresents an anion.

Particular compounds from Group I which have been successfully employed have been the following:

1. di-isobutyl'cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

2. di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl' ammonium chloride.

3. Alkyl (8 to 18 carbon atoms) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride.

4. Alk'yl (8 to 18 carbon atoms) diethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

5. Alkyl (8 to 18 carbon atoms) dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide.

As may be seen, each of these compounds includes a molecular group having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms which is attached to the nitrogen atom,

this molecular group being either an alkyl radical or a heterogeneous aliphatic group, and a benzyl radical, the aryl group, associatedwith the nitrogen 'atom.

The compounds in Group II which have been employed successfully as deodorants in combination with a sanitary napkin of cellulosic fiber are as follows:

1. N (acyl colamino formyl methyl) pyridinium chloride.

2-; Lauryl pyridinium chloride.

32' Cetylpyridinium chloride;

4. N (acyl colamino formyl methyl) pyridinium acetate.

ItWill-be seen that the compounds in Group II all include a molecular group having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, thisgroup being either an alkyl radical or aheterogeneous aliphatic group and being attached'to the nitrogen atom. Further,

each of.the .compounds have the penta-valent nitrogenatom associated with an aryl group, in this case a pyridinium radical.

practicing the invention, the selected quaternary ammonium salt; is incorporated into the cellulosic pad. which.f;or ms-,a.1 art of; the. sanitary napkin. As has been; pointed out, tor most; effiectiye action. it is desirableto; incorporate; the

quaternary: ammonium compoundintothe portion.

of the. pad ad-j acent; the. surface. which is initially contacted by the liquid body excretion. The material may be introduced intoithe pad in various ways, as for; example, by placing-a. layer of powder containing the; compound adjacent the surface of the pad, by impregnating-a. strip of gauze'or-a layer of creped cellulosic-material with the quaternary ammoniumcompound-and placing; that. strip or layer adjacent the; surface of, the: pad; by sprinkling the. surface ofthe pad-with a powder containing thecompound, or'even by impregnating the entire pad withgthe-compound. However, if the entire pad is; impregnated, a large amount of the compound wasted as the do odorant is needed in only that: portion of the pad exposedto body exudate. Flor: eiiectiveness, it is not necessary that the. liquid;- body excretion be in contact with the compound but only that the body liquid pass through a zone containingthe compound.

A typical cellulosic-padfor a. sanitary napkin includes a plurality of superposedplies of creped, cellulosic. tissue of the typeemployed for facial tissues. Each of the individual plies: has a dryer basis weight of about 8' pounds to the ream: of: 3000 square feet, with a creping: ratio of; between 1.5 and 2.0, although lighter or heavier sheets with different creping ratios; may be employed, if needed, to. suit other conditions. An aqueous. Solution of: he sel cted quaternary ammonium compounds (all of the selectedcompounds, being watersoluble) is made up. in-a. strength-which will give the desired concentration of the compound in the selected zone of the pad. This solution is sprayed upon the surface of the finished pad, or is used in impregnating the individual plies of the pad, a preselected group of: plies, or a strip of gauze or other element nearthe surface of the pad.

The impregnating solution desirably contains from about 3' to 6 per cent. of the; quaternary ammonium compound, and an amount of this solution is distributed across the. surface of the pad, as described, to produce a zone through which the liquid body excretion must pass. The concentration of the quaternary ammonium compound may range from about 0.3 to 0.7 milligram of the compound per square inch of the surface of the zone. A pad measuring 4% inches by 2%; inches has been found to give particularly effective deodorization when it contains about 6 milligrams of the quaternary ammonium tating to sensitive body tissues especially in the higher concentrations. The impurities in the quaternary ammonium compounds should be maintained at a minimum to secure the maximum benefit from the practice of this invention.

Another method of incorporating the selected quaternary ammonium compound in the napkin is to disperse the quaternary ammonium compound in an inert agent such as talc, powdered cellulose, or the like, to form a powder. This powder may then be sprinkled upon the napkin or dispersed therein. Upon being contacted with moisture the quaternary ammonium compound in the powder is activated so that it becomes associated with the cellulosic fibers in such a way that the compound remains on the surface of the pad, thereby effecting a deodorization of all of the liquid material which passes through the zone in which the deodorant material is disposed.

Particularly effective results are obtained when the quaternary ammonium compound is chosen from the group of compounds consisting of di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, and alkyl (8 to 18 carbon atoms) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. These compounds are desirably incorporated, by impregnation or spraying a solution of the compound onto the pad, adjacent the surface of the pad which first receives the liquid excretion. The area covered should correspond substantially to the active area of the pad and the concentration in this area should desirably be between 0.3 and 0.7 milligrams per square inch.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Serial No. 630,828, which was filed on November 26. 1945, now abandoned, and which is assigned to the assignee of this invention.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A catamenial banda e for absorbing li uid body excretions, com rising a liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains, adia cent the surface which is to be first contacted by said li uid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, a quaternary ammonium salt characterized by the presence of a molecular group which is bonded to the nitrogen atom and which contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and by the presence of an aryl group which is associated with the nitrogen atom, said aryl group being selected from the group consisting of a benzyl radical and a pyridinium radical.

2. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains, adiacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active de- 6, odorizing material, a quaternary ammonium salt having the following structural formula:

R2 H P [sing]...-

wherein: R1 is an aliphatic radical containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is a lower alkyl radical selected from the group consisting of mula wherein: R is an aliphatic radical containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and Anis an anion.

4. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a fibrous liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains, adjacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

5. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a fibrou liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains adjacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride.

6. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a fibrous liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains adjacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, alkyl (8 to 18 carbon atoms) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. I

7. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a fibrous liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains adjacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride in a concentration of from about 0.3 to 0.7 milligram per square inch in the zone through which the body excretion is to pass.

8. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a fibrous liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains adjacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride in a concentration of from about 0.3 to 0.7 milligram per square inch in the zone through which the body excretion is to pass.

9. A catamenial bandage for absorbing liquid body excretions, comprising a fibrous liquid permeable element of cellulosic fiber which contains adjacent the surface which is to be first contacted by said liquid body excretion, as the sole active deodorizing material, alkyl (8 to 18 carbon atoms) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride in a concentration of from about 0.3 to 0.7 

1. A CATAMENIAL BANDAGE FOR ABSORBING LIQUID BODY EXCRETIONS, COMPRISING A LIQUID PERMEABLE ELEMENT OF CELLULOSIC FIBER WHICH CONTAINS, ADJACENT THE SURFACE WHICH IS TO BE FIRST CONTACTED BY SAID LIQUID BODY EXCRETION, AS THE SOLE ACTIVE DEODORIZING MATERIAL, A QUATERNARY AMMONIUM SALT CHARACTERIZED BY THE PRESENCE OF A MOLECULAR GROUP WHICH IS BONDED TO THE NITROGEN ATOM AND WHICH CONTAINS FROM 8 TO 18 CARBON ATOMS, AND BY THE PRESENCE OF AN ARYL GROUP WHICH IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NITROGEN ATOM, SAID ARYL GROUP BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF A BENZYL RADICAL AND A PYRIDINIUM RADICAL. 